A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 263
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
‘What, what do I do?’
What should I do now? Am I really getting cut from both the drama and the agency?
Since Sia found out I got this drama role thanks to Lee Dou…
My mind grew increasingly muddled.
“Seo Yumi.”
Watching Seo Yumi’s complexion darken rapidly, Camilla could tell what she was thinking without needing to hear it.
“Why don’t you try believing in yourself a little?”
“…What?”
Camilla offered a faint smile to Seo Yumi, who turned inward at the cryptic words.
“The Director Gil Sangyeop I know doesn’t cast just anyone in his dramas. He either doesn’t film or he films—he’s not the type to bend under external pressure.”
“What do you mean…”
“What Lee Dou said was pure nonsense. Don’t believe it.”
“…A lie?”
Her voice wavered, suggesting she’d been gaslit by Lee Dou far longer than she’d realized.
Camilla gently patted her shoulder.
“Your acting wasn’t bad at all, from what I saw.”
“…!”
“I thought a decent new talent had emerged.”
At those words, Seo Yumi’s eyes widened fully. Countless emotions flickered across her gaze. Soon after, her eyes reddened rapidly.
She stood blinking silently for a moment before bowing deeply.
“Th-thank you so much, senior!”
Her voice rang out spirited and clear.
Then she clenched her fists and declared loudly with determination.
“I… I’ll really work hard!”
After bowing once more, Seo Yumi hurried away from the spot.
“Much better.”
Far more pleasant to see than the way she’d walked earlier beside Lee Dou with her head hung low.
Camilla let out a light laugh.
“Well then, shall we wrap this up…”
Left alone in the space after Seo Yumi disappeared, Camilla searched through her phone contacts and made a call.
「Oh my! Sia!」
The call connected almost immediately after just a few rings.
“It’s been a while, Reporter Kim.”
「Tell me about it—it’s been forever. You should contact me more often!」
“I’ve been quite busy.”
Reporter Kim was the journalist with whom Sia had built the deepest connection during her entertainment career. Sharp instincts, quick to understand—a mutually beneficial relationship, you might say.
When Sia had been blackmailed by her own father over money, Reporter Kim had actively helped her access media support.
「Ha ha, I heard you got a new drama role anyway.」
“Actually, that’s why I’m calling.”
「Hmm? Why? Is there a problem with the drama?」
His playful tone shifted.
How many times had he broken major news stories using information that flowed through Sia like this?
“I heard a rumor. One of the actors I’m working with seems to have caused some trouble recently. Could you look into it for me?”
「Trouble? What kind of trouble? Who is it?」
“Do you know Lee Dou?”
「A woman problem, then.」
The moment Lee Dou’s name came up, Reporter Kim’s instincts kicked in and he spoke first.
“Apparently he settled something with some woman about two weeks ago—paid her off.”
「Hmm….」
Without needing to hear more, he could piece together what had happened. Lee Dou’s reputation with women was fairly well-known among journalists.
But there were only rumors; they’d never obtained solid information, so they hadn’t even attempted an investigation.
“They met at XX Club, apparently.”
「XX Club? You mean the one in Gangnam?」
“Having problems arise before the drama even starts just feels unsettling. If you happen to know anything, please contact me.”
「Don’t worry. I’ll look into it and call you right away.」
“Yes, let’s grab a meal next time.”
「Sounds good to me. See you again, Sia.」
Reporter Kim hung up eagerly.
Camilla stared at her phone and let out a quiet laugh, recalling Lee Dou’s appearance from moments before.
[You fool! The woman you met at XX Club two weeks ago! Have you already forgotten the trouble you caused by touching that girl? Forgotten how much money you lost? When are you ever going to get your act together!]
The grandfather’s ghost that followed Lee Dou around.
Apparently Lee Dou’s actual grandfather, he had burned with fury and spat out those words—and she had committed every detail to memory before contacting the reporter.
‘Reporter Kim will have more than enough to work with.’
He was a journalist with tenacity and ability rivaling any paparazzi. He would definitely dig into the Lee Dou incident thoroughly and break the story.
“Now, next…”
Camilla picked up her phone again. Not long after, a voice came through.
「Sia?」
“Hello, Agency President. How have you been?”
「Same as always. I’m just hoping Sia will sign with our company.」
“You know I still have a lot of time left on my current agency contract.”
「And you know I’ll wait however long that takes, right?」
Camilla let out a small laugh. The person on the other end chuckled lightly as well.
「So what’s this about? Our Sia wouldn’t call me without a reason.」
“It’s about Lee Dou.”
「Lee Dou?」
She could sense the other person flinch on the line.
「Did that bastard do something to you?」
“No, not to me.”
Upon hearing that it wasn’t Sia, the tension on the other end eased slightly.
「Then why are you bringing him up?」
“I just got a call from a reporter I know. It sounds like a scandal’s about to break.”
「…What?」
Kim Cheoseon, the president of Louis Entertainment where Lee Dou works.
Though currently a mid-sized agency, the capital and roster of actors they managed were solid enough that the prospects for becoming a leading entertainment company in South Korea were quite high.
「Surely that bastard isn’t doing this again…!」
“I told you before, didn’t I? Lee Dou can’t even act—he just relies on his face and causes trouble. Keeping him around won’t help at all.”
「Sigh.」
Having already experienced Lee Dou’s woman troubles before, Kim Cheoseon let out a groan.
“He’ll be kicked out of the drama soon anyway. You know Director Gil Sangyeop cuts out problematic actors without mercy, right?”
「When’s the scandal breaking? You didn’t hear anything else?」
“I just heard it won’t take long. I’m worried you might get caught in the crossfire.”
At the vague response, the other end released a long sigh.
「Thanks for the heads up. Let’s grab a meal next time.」
“Of course.”
The call ended abruptly, as if he were in a hurry. Camilla grinned wickedly and pocketed her phone.
This much was enough. The fact that he didn’t press for details about which reporter had tipped him off meant he was thinking about cutting Lee Dou loose rather than preventing the scandal.
‘He’s not the type to give second chances.’
He might overlook one mistake, but never a second. Lee Dou, who had already caused woman troubles once, was no longer someone he would shield.
Clang.
“Good riddance.”
Camilla mercilessly hurled the can she’d been holding into the recycling bin set up in one corner of the parking lot. Her chest felt completely relieved.
Rustle.
“…!”
As Camilla turned around in a good mood, brushing off her hands, she suddenly felt a presence and flinched.
Her eyes quickly darted toward the source of the sound, and her face went rigid.
“Ha.”
There stood Choi Sihyun, laughing out loud in a most uncharacteristic manner.
It was unclear how long he’d been there, but the way he leaned against the wall looked remarkably relaxed.
‘Of all people….’
At the appearance of the most awkward person, Camilla sighed inwardly.
The moment their eyes met, he strode toward her.
“You….”
Me? What about me?
The distance closed rapidly. Before she could even flinch, he leaned his face in close and continued.
“How do you always manage to help without giving me a chance?”
Camilla stared blankly at his face, now inches from hers, without flinching. At that, Choi Sihyun’s lips curled up slightly.
As if he’d expected as much, he clicked his tongue lightly, took a step back, and left the spot as though nothing had happened.
“…What is that guy?”
Left alone, Camilla watched Choi Sihyun disappear quickly, her brow furrowing repeatedly.
“Sigh.”
Whoosh.
Had I been tense? Only after Choi Sihyun’s figure disappeared did I exhale a long breath, then hastily pulled out a piece of paper.
I added one more sentence to the memo I was leaving for Sia.
Lee Dou ➜ Bastard. Avoid at all costs.
Choi Sihyun ➜ Person of interest. Unpleasant guy.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————